Covering Mexican Fútbol in American English

Cruz Azul vs Santos Laguna – Jornada 9 Recap and Highlights

Cruz Azul came from behind to beat 8-man Santos Laguna 2-1. The result keeps La Máquina unbeaten this season while Santos is now winless in two.

The game started off at a good pace, with both teams going on the offensive as they looked for the opening goal. In the 12th minute, the visitors took the lead through Julio César Furch, who headed home a cross from Djaniny to make it 0-1 for Santos.

The Laguneros had a good chance to add to their lead in the 32nd minute, when Djaniny got free in midfield and drove into the box, but in the end the defense was able to intervene.

Cruz Azul made a halftime substitution as they looked to get back into the game, and Santos quickly went off the rails in the second half. In the 50th minute, Jorge Sánchez was sent off with his second yellow card of the night to leave the visitors with 10 men.

In the 54th minute, La Máquina took advantage of their numerical advantage to level the game. Ángel Mena did well to get free of his marker and play in Omar Mendoza; he sent in a cross that Édgar Méndez headed into the crossbar. But Felipe Mora was there to finish off the rebound to make it 1-1.

The night quickly got worse for Santos as Ventura Alvarado suffered a head injury that left the defender being stretchered into an ambulance with an oxygen mask on. ESPN Deportes reported that Alvarado quickly improved and was taken to the hospital mainly as a precaution.

Back on the field, the hosts completed the comeback in the 69th minute; Omar Mendoza sent the ball into the box and “Chaco” Giménez volleyed it into the back of the net to make it 2-1.

The visitors’ meltdown continued as first Gael Sandoval and then Julio César Furch were given straight red cards within two minutes of each other to leave Santos to see out the last bit of the game with just eight players on the field.

With the 2-1 win, Cruz Azul reaches 15 points while Santos still has eight.